Softball Wins Twice, Girls’ Tennis Splits the Week
Girls’ Tennis
The 2023 Class M girls’ tennis state champions, the Hand Tigers, got their 2024 season off to a strong start with a shutout win vs. East Haven on April 1. Dropping only three total games across all seven matches, everyone played strongly. Seniors Hayden Agee, Kayla Johnson, and sophomore Skylar Powers all earned their first wins as varsity starters.
The team went on the road on April 5 and lost 6-1 to a very tough Guilford team. Making their debut at No. 1 doubles together was junior duo of Ella Helfrich and Juliana Jorens. They lost in three sets. Junior Antoinette Lowy and sophomore Emma Lee moved up in the singles lineup, while sophomore Maddie Martin made her varsity debut appearance at No. 4 singles. The Tigers' lone win came from sophomore Loden Bradstreet at No. 1 singles, defeating her opponent in an all-out battle (6-7, 7-5, 1-0 (10-6)).
Baseball
Hand baseball traveled to Guilford on April 1 and lost 6-2. Vin Benevento singled and made his way to third, eventually scoring on a wild pitch.
Boys’ Tennis
The Hand boys’ tennis team hosted East Haven in the first match of the season on April 1 and won 7-0. Elliott Booth, Andrew Seehusen, Marcelo Gonzalez, and Gavin Waterman all recorded singles wins.
On the doubles side, victories came from Deacon Wilkins and Paul Fumex, Will Dodd and Gus Hodge, and Alfie Parkyn and Nathaniel Konstantino.
Softball
On April 1, Hand softball traveled to Guilford and fell 8-2. Reese Ciecko went 2-for-4 with a triple, and Alexa Young went 2-for-3 with a double. Tatum Cash drove in two runs on a double, while Ella D’Urso went 2-for-3, and Erin Cerny went 1-for-3.
Grace Hall took the mound for the Tigers, and she gave up eight hits and eight earned runs. She also struck out four batters and walked four.
On April 5, the team hosted Sacred Heart Academy and won 7-4. Lexi Guerrette recorded two RBIs, and D’Urso went 1-for-3 with a triple and an RBI. Cash went 1-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI, while Young (3-for-4) and Danielle Phelan (1-for-4) each drove in a run.
On the mound, Cerny pitched seven innings and gave up four runs. She also struck out five batters.
The next day, Hand played host to Brien McMahon and grabbed a 14-5 victory. The story of the game was Reese Ciecko, who went 2-for-4 and drove in four runs. Bianca Pasquinelli went 2-for-3 and recorded three RBIs, while Hall went 3-for-3. Cash showed off her power by delivering a 3-for-4 performance with two home runs and a triple. Paige Waters also scored four runs.
Boys’ Lacrosse
Hand boys’ lacrosse traveled to Foran on April 2 and won 13-6.
On April 4, the team hosted Simsbury and fell 7-6.
The Tigers then traveled to Joel Barlow on April 6 and fell 5-3.
Girls’ Lacrosse
On April 2, the Hand girls’ lacrosse team traveled to Hamden and won 18-8.
On April 6, the squad hosted Ridgefield and fell 17-4.
Boys’ Volleyball
On April 2, Hand boys’ volleyball opened the season vs. Amity and fell 3-0.
On April 5, the team played host to Pomperaug and took a 3-0 loss.